“The Last Single Girl Ties the Knot for Online Couple” that’s my headline on this Valentine’s Day eve. I’ve agreed to stand in as the wedding planner for two close friends who are getting married this summer. Originally they asked if I would assist the bride’s mom and a bridal consultant. But after interviewing several professionals they hadn’t found one who they clicked with on terms, price, and their idea of how to get hitched.
Yesterday we met for brunch in Oakland at the Cuckoo’s Nest near the Jack London Square waterfront. The idea isn’t as crazy as it sounds – I have been married before (I hosted 125 people at my destination wedding in Hawaii) and have quite a bit of event planning experience (8minuteDating.com speeddating parties, Stanford Shuffle – annual brunch for several hundred single alums - ok albeit a lot of it for singles). But I’m feeling quite up to the challenge.
My two friends met online at eHarmony. (I won’t divulge their names since I’m not sure they want everyone to know ). They’re one of those kissey-face-we’re -so-in-love couples. He’s a brother who wanted to marry a black woman and I suggested he try this particular online service. Just like in the ads he worked in Alameda and she lived there. They’re perfect for each other and they probably never would have met otherwise.
In between smooches they describe their wedding to be. Under pressure from wedding consultants, family and “isn’t that how you’re supposed to do it” thinking they’d planned on an outdoor ceremony where they’ll be married by a close friend. The reception will be a formal sit-down lunch at the Dunsmuir House and Gardens in Oakland. Sounded pretty boring to me, two entrees: breast of chicken and poached fish, a champagne toast and everyone’s back in their cars on the way home.
“What really matters to you about your wedding? What do you want it to look like? What are your favorite movie wedding scenes? Been to anyone else’s wedding you really loved?” I prodded.
‘Well, Jerusha what I’m really concerned about is money – I don’t want to go over budget….” Said the groom immediately.
“Forget price – let’s blue sky it for a moment,” I insisted.
“Hhhmmm. We went to this really cool wedding of a couple of friends of ours, remember that honey,” began the bride stroking the face of her man.
“Yeah, baby, where it was at their house in the backyard. They set out tables and chairs. Everyone was standing around chatting, eating, drinking, and having a good time. That’s what I want our wedding to be like,” finished the groom planting a big kiss on his cutie.
After an emotional three-hour meal we finally settle on an Afro-Cuban Garden Party as the theme for the celebration. They’ll celebrate their Caribbean and South American ties with spicy décor and Tapas bar style catering. We’ll add black California winemakers to the mix since many if their guests will be traveling from the East Coast for the nuptials. We head to Target where we load up on the latest bridal magazines and find some capiz shell chargers that will make shimmering table centerpieces.
Their homework: Re-interview caterers and wedding photographers with the new plan in mind. Set up a time to revisit the site with me in tow.
Mine: Track down the hot Latin band I heard at a recent singles event and see if they do weddings and find a salsa dance teacher. They’re taking lessons before the event and will offer lessons to their guests at the reception. And invest in some lovey-dovey repellant.
Jerusha,
Is being single not more of a vice than choice?
Were you disappointed by the men in your past relationships?
Being single is a temporary state of romantic freedom.
Posted by: Orikinla Osinachi | Thursday, March 02, 2006 at 09:40 AM